BJCP 18A · Pale American Ale
Blonde Ale
A light, balanced American blonde ale with bready malt and a hint of hops or fruit. Easy to drink, no rough edges, ideal for beginners.
Blonde Ale by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 3.8 – 5.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 15 – 28 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 3 – 6 SRM6–12 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.038 – 1.054on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.008 – 1.013on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Blonde Ale is like
A light, easy-drinking American blonde beer with a balance between malt and hops. It doesn't stand out for any one flavor, but for how clean it is.
Appearance
Light straw to gold, clear. White head with moderate retention.
Aroma
Light bready or grainy malt, sometimes some soft caramel, and low to moderate floral, spicy or citrusy hops. Light fruity esters are possible.
Flavor
Soft bready, biscuity malt with some sweetness and low to moderate hop flavor. Medium-low to medium bitterness and a medium-dry to dry finish.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium body and medium to high carbonation. Smooth, without astringency.
Where Blonde Ale comes from
It's a style created by American craft breweries and brewpubs as an entry-level beer for people coming from mass-market lagers. There are versions with wheat or honey.
Ingredients
American pale or pilsner malt with some light crystal, wheat or Vienna. American or European hops in moderation and a clean ale yeast, a Kölsch strain or even lager yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Blonde Ale at home
Mash at 65-66 °C (149-151 °F) and ferment at 16-18 °C (61-64 °F) with a clean American ale yeast. Give it a couple of weeks of cold conditioning so it drops clear. Because it's so simple, any fermentation flaw really shows.
Food pairing
Salads, grilled fish or chicken tacos.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Blonde Ale?
Between 3.8% and 5.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Blonde Ale?
It has 15 to 28 IBUs, a low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Blonde Ale?
Straw to gold: 3 to 6 SRM (6 to 12 EBC).
What food pairs well with Blonde Ale?
Salads, grilled fish or chicken tacos.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Kölsch and American Pale Ale.
If you like Blonde Ale, try these
Classification and statistics: official Blonde Ale guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.